Attachments_gluhovskayahelen@mail.ru_2015-09-26_21-02-23 / BUILDERS (part I)

12. Agree or disagree with the following statements:

1. The foundation of the Tower of Pisa is very properly done. 2. From the earliest times architects and engineers pay a lot of attention to the problems of foundation. 3. The Tower of Pisa can topple at any moment. 4. If the earth is stable, laying the foundations of small buildings possess a lot of problems. 5. The foundation engineer has an extremely important job to do if the load is very heavy. 6. The foundation engineer must have thorough knowledge of architecture. 7. First construction workers begin excavating, or digging holes or trenches for the footings, the highest part of the foundation. 8. To collect undisturbed samples of earth from various depths it is necessary to use bulldozers. 9. It is difficult for the engineer to forecast the probable shifts in the earth during and after building. 10. The footings are made by pouring water into iron and steel forms. 11. This is done so that the footings will not freeze and shift. 12. Footings usually extend from 1 to 8 feet above ground level. 13. Builders generally use cement or cement block for the house’s foundation. 14. In all the cases the foundation engineer may use piles. 15. Piles are light shafts. 16. Each pile supports its load in one or both of two ways. 17. A pile may serve as a support. 18. The area within the foundation below the second story is the basement. 19. Basement is very cheap. 20. When it is a question of floating a building, the foundations take the form of a vast, hollow concrete box. 21. This box is divided into sections. 22. Each section has its own function. 23. Garage and storage space are placed under a building. 24. The best variant for buildings to stand on hard rock like granite or ironstone.

13. Choose a word to put into each gap:

Sinking, a slab foundation, hollow, to prevent, soil mechanics, concrete piers, column, the foundations, concrete, the design, trial pits, solid, sank, extent, toppled, the load, basements, floating, dense, pile, thick, sinking, a building, to lean, the paper, a filler, undisturbed, “grips”, moistureproof.

1. Architects and engineers have not always realized what … the earth can be pressed down by the weight of … . 2. They paid little attention for the possibility of a heavy structure’s … unevenly. 3. The Tower has never … though it is 14 feet out of the perpendicular. 4. To balance it the builders altered … of the upper stories when the building began … over. 5. One side of the Tower … into the ground that’s why the earth beneath was compressed until it became … enough … further movement. 6. In a tall modern

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structure … may be very heavy indeed. 7. The foundation engineer must have a thorough understanding of … . 8. To collect … samples of earth from various depths it is necessary to dig … . 9. The engineer decides whether the earth is of the type that can best support each … on a separate … block. 10. Each … supports its load in one or both of two ways. 11. A pile may stand firm because friction along its sides … the column and prevents it from … . 12. But when it is a question of … a building, … take the form of a vast, … concrete box. 13. Some … also have a recreation room. 14. In many low or damp regions, houses are raised above the ground on… , or supports. 15. Sometimes … is laid directly on the ground. 16. Workers then spread … , usually stone, and cover it with a … paper. 17. The filler and .. prevent moisture from coming through the slab that is made by pouring… , about 4 inches (10 centimeters) … , directly on top of the paper.

14. Find out from your partner:

– if he knows the history of the Tower of Pisa;

– why the Tower of Pisa leans;

15. Prove that:

– the Tower of Pisa has never toppled;

– the foundation engineer has an extremely important job to do;

– foundation supports a house.

16. Comment on:

– the usage of piles;

– work of construction workers;

– the usage of footings.

17. Imagine that:

– You are in Italy in Pisa. You want to know as much as possible about the Tower of Pisa. Role-play a dialogue with your partner.

– You want to be a foundation engineer. What is necessary to know to be a good engineer?

18. Comprehensive check. Choose the best alternative according to the text:

1. The Tower of Pisa leans because … . a) its foundations were not soundly laid;

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b)the ground under it is very soft;

c)weather at this region is very wet.

2.From the earliest times it was necessary to know … . a) everything about the foundations of small buildings;

b) soil mechanics;

c) what extent the earth can be pressed down by the weight of a building.

3.… for the possibility of a heavy structure’s sinking unevenly. a) No attention was paid;

b) Too little allowance has sometimes been made; c) A lot of allowance has been made.

4.The Tower of Pisa has never toppled … .

a)though it is 14 feet out of the vertical;

b)though it is 14 feet out of the perpendicular;

c)though it is 16 feet out of the perpendicular.

5.As the building began to lean over, … to balance it. a) the builders built some supports;

b) the builders altered the design of the upper stories; c) the builders reconstructed it.

6.If the earth is stable, … .

a)laying the foundations of small buildings possess few problems;

b)laying the foundations of new buildings possess few problems;

c)laying the foundations of small buildings arises many problems.

7. If the load is very heavy … .

a)it is difficult to build a big construction;

b)the foundation engineer must change the project;

c)the foundation engineer has an extremely important job to do.

8. The footings are … .

a)the main support of the foundation;

b)the lowest part of the foundation;

c)used to decorate a house.

9. The footings are made by … .

a)pouring water into wood or steel forms;

b)pouring cement into wood or iron forms;

c)pouring concrete into wood or steel forms.

10. The foundation may extend from … the ground.

a)8 inches to 3 feet (20 to 91 centimeters) above;

b)8 feet to 3 inches (21 to 90 centimeters) above;

c)8 inches to 3 feet (20 to 91 centimeters) below.

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11.Soil mechanics entails a scientific study of the ground … . a) to see what load it can bear without dangerous movement;

b) to understand its structure for future building; c) to know what weight of a building it can bear.

12.In order to collect undisturbed samples of earth from various depths … .

a)it is possible to dig some holes in the ground;

b)it is necessary to ask a geologist for help;

c)it is necessary to dig the trial pits or to bore the holes.

13.With the help of undisturbed samples the engineer can … . a) correct his project if there are any drawbacks in it;

b) forecast the future earthquakes at this place.

c) forecast the probable shifts in the earth during and after building.

14.…, if firm ground has been found only at great depth.

a)The foundation engineer may use piles;

b)The foundation engineer may change the place of building;

c)New project is recommended to work out.

15. Piles are solid shafts made by … .

a)boring holes in the earth and pouring in the concrete.

b)driving cement deep into the ground;

c)boring holes in the foundation and pouring in these holes.

16.… with its foot driven into solid earth or rock. a) A pile may serve as a subsidiary material;

b) A pile is used usually as a column; c) A pile may serve as a column.

17.… because friction along its sides “grips” the column. a) A pile may stand in one and the same position;

b) A pile may stand firm;

c) A building may stand firm.

18.The area within … is the basement. a) the house below the second story;

b) the foundation below the first story; c) the foundation below it.

19.Basements add to the cost of building a house, but … . a) they provide extra room;

b)they are very necessary for a house;

c)they are very useful.

20. The foundations take the form of a vast, hollow concrete box when … .

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a)it is necessary to have a spare place for garages;

b)it is a question of floating a building;

c) it is a question of a building’s weight.

21. This box is divided into chambers that … .

a)combines house heating and ventilating plants;

b)combines some additional plants;

c)serves as location for building materials.

22.… , especially if the earth beneath a house is hard. a) Sometimes special machines are necessary;

b) Sometimes a slab foundation is made from concrete;

c) Sometimes a slab foundation is laid directly on the ground.

23.Workers then spread a filler, usually stone, and … . a) put it deep in the ground;

b)cover it with cement;

c)cover it with a moistureproof paper.

24.The filler and the paper prevent moisture from coming … . a) through the ground that is made by pouring water;

b) through the slab that is made by pouring concrete; c) through the piles that is made by pouring cement.

25.Luckiest of all are those foundation engineers … .

a)whose buildings stand on hard rock like stone or wood;

b)whose buildings stand on hard rock like granite or ironstone;

c)whose buildings on hard rock like granite or metal.

19. Group work:

Express your opinion on the contents of the utterance by Nicolo Machiavely given above. Discuss all your pros and cons with your group-mates.

UNIT IX

INTERIOR CONSTRUCTION OF A HOUSE

Into the house where joy lives, happiness will gladly come.

Japanese proverb

1. Read these international words and try to guess their meaning:

A metal, horizontally, to finish, plastic, linoleum, asphalt, an electrician, standard, volt, centimetre, aluminium, a lamp, conditioning system.

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2. Read out the following words and memorize them:

3.Make up your own sentence with the words given above. Use as many words as you can in this sentence.

4.Read out these phrases several times till you remember their meaning:

tongue and groove boards – шпунтовое соединение досок;

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а nail head – шляпка гвоздя;

hardwoods – древесина твердых пород;

a lumber mill – лесопилка, завод по обработке дерева; ready-made – готовый (не требующий изготовления);

a circuit breaker – автоматический выключатель, прерыватель; later – позже;

to cut in the proper sizes – вырезать нужного размера; to be made of – быть сделанным из;

a lightweight steel – легковесная сталь;

to be high enough – быть достаточно высоким; a water heater – нагреватель воды;

heavy-duty – мощный, сверхмощный.

5. Match the English words with their Russian equivalents:

6.Combine the words with the help of the preposition of. Translate these word combinations:

7. Give the three forms of the following verbs:

To finish, to see, to make, to apply, to use, to install, to do, to buy.

8.These words can be used both as verbs and nouns. Make up your own sentences to show the difference in their usage:

Slot, sand, seal, wax, finish, varnish, partition, lath, rug, start, fuse, part.

9.Write the derivatives of the following words:

Cover, found, horizon, electrical, light, wash, condition, protect, automat.

10. Read the text and get ready to speak about the interior construction of a house:

INTERIOR CONSTRUCTION OF A HOUSE

Interior construction of a house includes: floors, walls, windows, and doors.

Floors have two layers. The lower layer lies at an angle across the floor joists. The upper, finished layer is made from tongue and groove boards. One side of each board has a tongue, or lip, and the other side has a groove or slot. The tongue of one board fits snugly into the groove of another board. Carpenters drive nails through the groove side so that the nail heads can not be seen on the finished floor. Most finished floors are made of hardwoods, such as maple or oak, which have been finely sanded and later sealed with wood filler. The wood may then be finished with wax, shellac, varnish, or plastic. Other floors have such coverings as linoleum or rubber, vinyl or asphalt tile.

Walls. Rooms are made by building inside walls after the outside walls have been attached to the foundation. Inside walls, also called partitions, are really small-sized frames like the outside walls. They have studs and must be supported by plates, joists and girders.

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If plaster is to be applied, the interior walls must first be covered with lath, or strips of wood, metal, or plasterboard. The lath is set horizontally about 3 inches (8 centimeters) apart. Wallboard, plasterboard, or plywood may be used in place of plaster.

Windows. Most parts of a window come from a lumber mill, already cut in the proper sizes. Carpenters leave space in the frame for windows and window pulleys, weights and sashes. Window sashes are made of wood or metal, usually either aluminium or lightweight steel.

Doors. Both doors and door frames may usually be bought readymade. Carpenters attach the doors high enough to swing over rugs or carpets. A threshold fills in the space under an outside door.

Electricity. Electrical wiring provides lighting and furnishes outlets for lamps, washing machines, and other appliances. In some houses, electricity also provides heat. Before construction starts, the builder determines the location and type of wiring. Wires vary in size, depending on the equipment in the house and how far the current must travel. Standard wiring is designed for 110 volt current. But builders often specify heavy-duty, 220-volt wiring if large electrical appliances, such as a stove and a water heater, or an air conditioning system are installed.

Electricians install wiring while carpenters build the frame. Wiring is done in a series of circuits. Each set of wires has several outlets. Electricians often place the wiring for a furnace on a separate circuit. This keeps the furnace running in ease if another circuit breaks down.

Wires become hot and can cause fires if they are overloaded, so electricians install a fuse for each electrical. A fuse box usually holds all the fuses. If too much current passes through a circuit, the wire in the fuse melts or “blows”. Electricians often install another protective device called a circuit breaker, instead of a fuse box. If the circuit becomes overloaded, the circuit breaker automatically cuts off the current.

11. Answer the following questions:

1. What does interior construction of a house include? 2. How many layers have floors? 3. What is the upper, finished layer made from? 4. What has both sides of a board? 5. Who drives nails through the groove side? 6. What are most finished floors made of? 7. What materials are used to finish wood? 8. What is linoleum or rubber, vinyl, or asphalt tile used for? 9. When are rooms made? 10. What is called partitions? 11. In what case must the interior walls first be covered with lath, or strips of

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wood, metal, or plasterboard? 12. Where do most parts of a window come from? 13. What are window sashes made of? 14. May doors be bought ready-made? 15. Who attaches the doors high enough to swing over rugs or carpets? 16. What fills in the space under an outside door? 17. What provides lighting and furnishes outlets for lamps, washing machines, and other appliances? 18. Who does this? 19. What does a builder determine before construction starts? 20. Why do builders specify heavy-duty, 220-volt wiring? 21. Who installs wiring? 22. What can cause fires? 23. In what case does the wire in the fuse melt? 24. What installs instead of a fuse box

12. Agree or disagree with the following statements:

1. Floors have three layers. 2. The upper, finished layer is made from wood. 3. Builders drive nails through the groove side so that the nail heads can be seen on the finished floor. 4. Most finished floors are made of plastics. 5. Floors have such coverings as paper, plasterboard or plywood. 6. Inside walls, also called partitions, are really small-sized frames like the outside walls. 7. The interior walls must first be covered with paint or oil. 8. The lath is set vertically about 2 inches (6 centimeters) apart. 9. Most parts of a window come from factories. 10. Window sashes are made of gypsum or cement. 11. Both doors and door frames is necessary to produce in carpenters’ workshops. 12. Carpenters attach the doors high enough to swing over a threshold. 13. Rugs or carpets fill in the space under an outside door. 14. Electricity never provides heat. 15. Before construction starts, the builder determines the location and type of wiring. 16. Standard wiring is designed for 120 volt current. 17. Carpenters install wiring while electricians build the frame. 18. Each set of wires has only one outlet. 19. Electricians often place the wiring for a furnace on the whole circuit. 20. Wires become cold and can cause fires if they are overloaded. 21. It is impossible for electricians to install another protective device called a circuit breaker.

13. Choose a word to put into each gap:

Hardwoods, a furnace, carpenters, joists and girders, wax, partitions, window pulleys, tongue and groove, wood filler, a circuit breaker, heavy-duty, wiring, a threshold, the lath, studs, lip, outlets, shellac, a fuse box, sashes, a fuse, snugly, lightweight, appliances, a lumber mill, the current.

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